After a year-long diplomatic effort to drive global action to protect humanitarian workers in conflict zones, Australia has today launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel joined by more than 100 countries.
At a ceremony at the United Nations in New York, we honoured Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and the 674 humanitarian personnel killed since the start of 2024.
The more than 100 countries - representing more than half of the United Nations - include Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, who partnered with Australia to develop the Declaration.
Together, we are pledging to new, concrete measures to keep humanitarian personnel safe and enable them to do their lifesaving work in conflict and disaster zones.
This global pact delivers real protection for humanitarians risking their lives to protect others, at a time when they are facing unprecedented threats to their lives and safety.
These measures include a commitment to facilitate access and protect humanitarian personnel, ensure faster and more efficient visas and work permits, new joint training for military personnel and aid workers to protect innocent lives.
The Albanese Government will also provide $15 million in support for practical measures that better protect humanitarian personnel through the UN Department of Safety and Security, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Australia will provide funding to Legal Action Worldwide and the Red Family Fund to support aid workers and their families and to Humanitarian Outcomes to maintain the Aid Worker Security Database.
Australia is proud to lead this global effort to protect those who risk everything to help others.
We know that to protect civilians, we must also protect aid workers who deliver the food, water and medicine civilians need to survive.
This Declaration is a powerful recommitment to the rules that safeguard humanity and ensure aid reaches those who need it most.
Humanitarian workers save lives. This work should never cost them their own.
Together with our international partners we are reinvigorating commitment at the highest political level to protect aid workers in conflict zones.
The Declaration honours those that help others in their darkest hours and pays tribute to their legacy.
